Inventories (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jul. 29, 2016	Jul. 31, 2015
Inventories [Abstract]
Retail	$ 114,610	$ 115,777
Restaurant	21,522	22,212
Supplies	16,176	15,069
Total	$ 152,308	$ 153,058

Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of food purchases that will be consumed in the store operations.

No definition available.

Name:	cbrl_RestaurantRelatedInventory
Namespace Prefix:	cbrl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of supplies that will be consumed in the reporting entity's store operations.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	cbrl_SupplyInventory
Namespace Prefix:	cbrl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_InventoryDisclosureAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount after valuation and LIFO reserves of inventory expected to be sold, or consumed within one year or operating cycle, if longer.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.6(a))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 330
-SubTopic 10
-Section 35
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=68049868&loc=d3e3927-108312

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28358313&loc=d3e6676-107765

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_InventoryNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of merchandise inventory purchased by a retailer, wholesaler or distributor and held for future sale.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RetailRelatedInventoryMerchandise
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant